Protests continued across Minneapolis and other United States cities on Sunday following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents on Saturday.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the situation as an “inflection point” and reiterated calls for President Donald Trump to remove federal agents from the city.
Trump, meanwhile, urged the governor to “turn over all Criminal Illegal Aliens” in state prisons for deportation.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara told the BBC that federal agents blocked state officers from accessing the scene despite a search warrant, hampering ongoing investigations.
Trump suggested in a Wall Street Journal interview that ICE agents might eventually be withdrawn but did not provide a timeline. He said the administration is “reviewing everything” about Pretti’s death and promised a determination.
Lawmakers remain divided over the shooting and Pretti’s Second Amendment rights. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Pretti was “brandishing” a gun, while local authorities insist he was legally armed, not brandishing, and was shot after the gun was removed.
The Trump administration labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist,” prompting his family to condemn the claim as “reprehensible and disgusting.” They emphasized he had no criminal record beyond minor traffic tickets: “Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man.”
Backlash against Trump’s immigration crackdown is growing. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt said federal tactics and accountability concern voters, and Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy called the Minneapolis shooting “incredibly disturbing” and warned that ICE and DHS credibility is at stake.
Democrats have threatened to block government funding for DHS, raising the possibility of a shutdown.
While polls suggest roughly half of Americans support deportation efforts, opinions are split on how aggressively Trump is implementing them.
On Sunday, Trump demanded via Truth Social that Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Frey, and “EVERY Democrat Governor and Mayor” cooperate with federal law enforcement, citing sanctuary cities as a root cause of unrest.
Hundreds protested in Minneapolis in freezing conditions, facing tear gas and stun grenades, while demonstrations spread to New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
More than 60 Minnesota-based business leaders, including 3M, Best Buy, Target, and UnitedHealth Group, called for “an immediate de-escalation of tensions” and cooperation between officials.
Videos show a scuffle between Pretti and Border Patrol agents before the shooting. DHS claims agents fired in self-defense after he resisted disarmament, but eyewitnesses, authorities, and family say he held a phone, not a gun. Pretti, a lawful gun owner, had no criminal record beyond traffic violations.
The NRA called for a “full investigation,” urging caution against demonizing law-abiding citizens.
ICE agents were reportedly seeking Jose Huerta Chuma, whose criminal record has been challenged by the Minnesota Department of Corrections.
The incident follows weeks of tensions over federal immigration raids in Minneapolis.
Earlier this month, ICE agents fatally shot Renee Good during similar operations. Her family called for “a complete and immediate end to the ICE invasion of this beautiful American city.”
Trump launched the Minneapolis crackdown in December after Somali immigrants were convicted in state welfare fraud cases.
ICE agents have authority to detain people suspected of being in the US illegally.
